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Long-term enteral nutrition in infants and young children with chronic renal failure

S E Ledermann1, V Shaw, R S Trompeter

  • 1Renal Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK.

Insights

Enteral feeding (EF) improves growth in children with chronic and end-stage renal failure (CRF/ESRF). Early intervention before age two promotes significant catch-up growth, preventing weight loss and growth retardation in pediatric renal patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Growth and Development

Background:

  • Inadequate nutritional intake is a significant issue for children with chronic and end-stage renal failure (CRF/ESRF).
  • Poor weight gain and growth retardation are common complications in this pediatric population.
  • Enteral feeding (EF) is a potential intervention to address these nutritional deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of a structured enteral feeding (EF) program on growth, nutritional intake, and oral feeding outcomes in children with CRF/ESRF.
  • To assess the effectiveness of EF in preventing or reversing growth retardation and weight loss.
  • To determine if early initiation of EF influences catch-up growth potential.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 35 children with CRF/ESRF (mean age 1.6 years) participated in an EF program for a mean of 30 months.
  • Growth parameters, including weight and height standard deviation scores (SDSs), were tracked before and during EF.
  • Nutritional intake as a percentage of estimated average requirements was monitored throughout the study.

Main Results:

  • Significant improvements in weight and height SDSs were observed in both the 0-2 and 2-5 year age groups during the EF program (P<0.0003).
  • Energy intake as a percentage of estimated average requirements did not change significantly, but absolute intake increased with age.
  • Twenty-one children underwent renal transplants, with 86% achieving normal oral intake post-transplant.

Conclusions:

  • Long-term enteral feeding (EF) effectively prevents or reverses weight loss and growth retardation in children with CRF/ESRF.
  • Early initiation of EF, particularly before age two, is associated with significant catch-up growth.
  • EF is a crucial supportive therapy for pediatric patients with renal failure, improving nutritional status and growth outcomes.

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